Ex-SFU forward Martin comes back to haunt old team as Coyotes top Clan

When former Simon Fraser University forward Patrik Martin transferred to Okanagan College and began suiting up for the Coyotes in January, the hope was that the two-time BCIHL champion would bring some veteran experience and leadership to mix with a talented group of teammates.

That recipe paid off in a big way on Saturday night, as Martin scored twice in the third period and set up Layne Stopanski's game winner to lead lead Okanagan to a 5-3 victory over SFU. It also kept OC's hopes of a first BCIHL regular season title alive, as a Clan win or tie would have clinched first for the visitors.

SFU got off to a quick start on the night, scoring twice in the first period off the sticks of Chris Hoe and Taylor Swaffield. But the Coyotes regrouped at intermission and fought back in the second, with Chris Glen scoring in the first minute of the period before Aaron Buat tied the game midway through the frame.

The Clan grabbed the lead heading into the third, however, as defenceman Todd Fletcher found the back of the net on a late power-play.

But the third period was all Coyotes, as Martin tied the game on an early man-advantage and then helped set up linemate Layne Stopanksi for the go-ahead marker on a partial breakaway. And with 3:24 remaining in the game, Martin washed away any hopes of an SFU comeback by beating Clan starter Evan Kurylo from in close off the rebound from a Brendan Urban blast.

Okanagan starter Sunny Gill picked up the win, turning aside 32 shots on the night. Kurylo gave up five goals on 40 shots in the loss.

The Coyotes will now look to creep closer to first place with a pair of road games at Eastern Washington next weekend. A sweep of the Eagles could potentially move Okanagan into a first-place tie should SFU stumble against Thompson Rivers on home ice Saturday.